North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) passes against Liberty during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. North Carolina won 56-29. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Two of the greatest high school football players — statistically speaking — in area history enjoyed successful 2014 college debuts on Aug. 30.
Toledo’s Kareem Hunt (South) and North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky (Mentor) did what they did best in high school: Produce touchdowns and big plays.
At Toledo, Hunt made his 2014 debut firmly entrenched as the Rockets’ No. 1 running back and he showed why, rushing for 136 yards on 20 carries with two rushing touchdowns in a 54-20 win over New Hampshire.
It was Hunt’s sixth career 100-yard game in 13 games played at UT. The offense started a bit slow with Alabama transfer Phillip Ely making his first career start for Toledo. But Hunt and Co. got rolling in the second quarter and never looked back. Ely threw for 334 yards and four TDs in the win. He and Hunt could make a lethal combination for the rest of the Mid-American Conference.
“After (Ely) threw that first TD pass (in the second quarter), we wanted to score on every drive,” Hunt told reporters.
Last season as a true freshman, Hunt — who rushed for 5,204 yard and 83 TDs in his final two seasons at South — rushed for 866 yards and six TDs while averaging 6.3 yards per attempt, and looks well on his way to a 1,000-yard season. Things will get tougher next week, when 2013 Southeastern Conference runner-up Missouri comes to the Glass Bowl on Sept. 6 for a noon ESPN game.
At North Carolina, there seemed to be no separation between QBs Trubisky, the 2012 Ohio Mr. Football award winner, and Marquise Williams after the Tar Heels’ 56-29 win over Liberty.
Coach Larry Fedora didn’t name a starter before the game, but Williams trotted out for UNC’s first offensive series. Throughout the game, Trubisky and Williams rotating series, with Williams completing 19 of 29 passe for 169 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Trubisky completed 10 of 16 for 66 yards, his first career TD pass — a 4-yarder to tight end Jack Tabb, and one interception.
The Tar Heels host San Diego State on Sept. 6, and Fedora sounded as if the QB carousel of Trubisky and Williams will continue for at least one more week.
“I thought they did a good job of managing the game,” Fedora told reporters. “They moved the chains. What I didn’t like was the interceptions. Both of them got a lot of good reps. I think we’ll get better (at QB).”Quick takes
-- After his Ohio State debut in a 34-17 win over Navy on Aug. 30, quarterback J.T. Barrett gave himself a “B-” grade. Sounds about right. The future looks bright for Barrett. Defensively, allowing 370 rushing yards is alarming but the Midshipmen scored just two touchdowns. The better gauge for the Buckeyes’ defense will come Sept. 6 vs. Virginia Tech.
-- Up meter: Notre Dame QB Everett Golson (300-plus total yards, 5 total TDs vs. Rice); Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill (511 passing yards, three TD passes vs. South Carolina); North Dakota State (FCS champion defeated fifth straight FBS opponent by hammering Iowa State, 34-14).
-- Down meter: South Carolina defense (gashed by Texas A&M); Wisconsin (led LSU, 24-7, in third quarter but lost, 28-24); Florida International (School denies Miami Herald writer media credential, team loses to lowly Bethune-Cookman, 14-12)Top 10
1. Florida State 1-0
2. Oklahoma 1-0
3. Alabama 1-0
4. Texas A&M 1-0
5. Stanford 1-0
6. Oregon 1-0
7. UCLA 1-0
8. Michigan State 1-0
9. Auburn 1-0
10. LSU 1-0Heisman watch
1. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
3. Kenny Hill, QB, Texas A&M
4. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
5. Everett Golson, QB, Notre DameTop games
Saturday
Missouri at Toledo, noon (ESPN)
Akron at Penn State, noon (WEWS)
USC at Stanford, 3:30 (WEWS)
Michigan State at Oregon, 6:30 (WJW)
BYU at Texas, 7:30 (Fox Sports 1)
Michigan at Notre Dame, 7:30 (WKYC)
Virginia Tech at Ohio State, 8 (ESPN)

Advertisement

About the Author

Mark's an Ohio State graduate who's been with The News-Herald since 1996. He enjoys exercising, reading, writing, cooking, spending time with his family and college football. Reach the author at mpodolski@news-herald.com
or follow Mark on Twitter: @mpodo.